“I’m not stubborn enough to force my game on clay": Naomi Osaka explains adjustment after Rome win over Eva Lys

Naomi Osaka advanced at the Rome Open 2026 after a physically uneven but competitive three-set win over Eva Lys, reinforcing a central theme of her clay-court season: adaptation rather than imposition. The 15th seed was pushed to 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in a match defined by fluctuating momentum and extended baseline exchanges before her experience ultimately proved decisive.

For much of Osaka’s career, clay has been her most problematic surface, with limited deep runs compared to her success on hard courts. However, the past two seasons have shown gradual improvement, with more consistent movement patterns and reduced reliance on first-strike dominance. The Rome win fits into that broader pattern of incremental adjustment rather than a structural breakthrough.

Her preparation for the tournament also came under unusual conditions. Osaka arrived in Rome shortly after attending the Met Gala in New York, compressing travel, recovery and training into a narrow window before competition.

Despite only two practice days, she managed to stabilise her level sufficiently to progress into the third round, where she will face 19th seed Diana Shnaider in her bid for a third consecutive Round of 16 appearance in Rome.

The match was shaped by instability on serve and repeated shifts in control, particularly in the second and third sets. Neither player was able to establish sustained dominance from the baseline, turning the contest into a series of short momentum swings decided by marginal execution.

“I just told myself to try as hard as I could every point,” Osaka said to Tennis Channel. “She was playing really well and returning really well. For me, I just hoped that I had enough experience to pull through, and I guess that’s what ended up happening.”

The final set featured multiple breaks of serve, reflecting a match that remained open deep into the closing stages. Osaka’s ability to remain competitive through those swings ultimately separated her in the final games. “I guess that’s what ended up happening.”

Osaka’s broader clay evolution continues to be defined by controlled adjustment rather than tactical reinvention. Instead of attempting to replicate hard-court patterns, she has increasingly prioritised movement efficiency and physical tolerance in longer rallies.

“I’m not stubborn enough to try to force my game on the surface,” she said. “This year I’ve been adjusting a little bit more. I think I’ve been fortunate enough to play some good matches.”

That shift is closely tied to emotional regulation, which she identified as a key variable in performance stability. Osaka noted that her level can fluctuate when frustration builds, particularly in matches with extended baseline patterns and repeated break opportunities.

“I want to be a lot more physical. I want to be a fighter. For me, I feel like sometimes I dip a little when I get disappointed in myself, so just trying to be a lot more level.”

Statistically, Osaka remains one of the most successful active players with 13 career finals and 7 titles, including 4 Grand Slams. However, clay as a surface on which she has not reached a final. Her best results on the surface include quarter-finals in Madrid and Rome during her world No.1 period - back in 2019 - alongside a WTA 125 title in Saint-Malo one year ago.

Looking ahead, Osaka identified return positioning and aggression as the primary tactical adjustment after a more cautious approach in Rome compared to Madrid. The difference, she suggested, was partly psychological, driven by unfamiliarity with her opponent.

“Honestly, I just want to be a little more aggressive on the returns if I can. In Madrid I did that pretty well, but here I was a little nervous because I’ve never played her before. I was more trying to start the rallies, but if I can be more aggressive from the first ball, that would help.”

Her next opponent, Diana Shnaider, introduces a specific tactical challenge due to her left-handed profile. Osaka acknowledged that she initially underweighted the adjustment required before referencing previous experience against similar opponents.

“I just found that out now when you told me,” she said with a laugh. “I mean, I’ve played Petra Kvitová a couple of times, so I can think about that, even though it was years ago. Lefties are definitely tough. It takes a minute to get used to, but hopefully it’ll be a good match.”